Bethany Knapton pleaded guilty to assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty.

The offence happened shortly after 10pm on September 24 at her flat in Juniper Grove, Netherton.

Prosecutor Vanessa Jones said that police attended to conduct arrest enquiries involving a man they were looking for but Knapton opened the door to them.

She tried to prevent the officers from coming into the flat and because of that she was taken hold of by them and there was a brief struggle.

During this the 20-year-old spat in the face of one of the PCs, the Huddersfield court was told.

Mrs Jones said: "He said that being spat at is one of the most disgusting and bad things that can happen and that he'd rather be punched when he is assaulted.

"It's a particularly nasty form of an assault. He was there for a legitimate purpose and didn't deserve to be assaulted.

Magistrates heard a statement from the Chief Constable, who also condemned attacks on members of the police force.

West Yorkshire Chief Constable Dee Collins

She said: "It isn't right for police officers to be assaulted just because of the job they do.

"They do place themselves in harm's way on a day to day basis to protect vulnerable people and their communities."

She added that assaults on police staff result in sickness absences which is a stretch on resources.

Sonia Kidd, mitigating, said that her client had a disagreement with her partner that night and was on her way downstairs to have a cigarette outside when she opened the door and was 'rushed on' by police.